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Epic story. Epic stars. And epic locations.
Yes, The Singapore Grip is one of the biggest dramas of the year, a love story set against the backdrop of the Japanese invasion of Singapore – one of the darkest moments of the Second World War – and the end of colonialism.
And of course don’t miss the scene when hunky Charles Dance proves he’s still got it when he does some gardening with only a loose sarong to cover up his bottom.
It also stars David Morrissey, Jane Horrocks, Colm Meaney and Luke Treadaway, and is scripted by Oscar-winning writer Christopher Hampton. It gets you gripped from the start…
The story begins in Singapore in 1941. Rubber barons Walter Blackett (Morrissey) and Mr Webb (Dance) are immune to the war going on around them – it’s just an ‘inconvenience’.
Walter is busy plotting after learning that ageing Mr Webb has handed his half of the business to his son Matthew (Treadaway). He decides to marry his beautiful and ruthless daughter Georgia off to Matthew and keep full control of Blackett & Webb. But his plans backfire.
Matthew is determined to stop the company’s exploitation of locals, and falls for mysterious and charming Chinese refugee Vera (former Coronation Street actress Elizabeth Tan). Then Japan spectacularly invades British Singapore, and when the bombs start dropping, all hell breaks loose.
Who’s Who
Charles Dance plays Mr Webb
Charles happily accepted the role of old colonial Mr Webb – who appears in an unmissable early scene gardening topless. ‘So, Christopher Hampton, Malaysia, in and out pretty quickly. Why not?’ says the Game of Thrones star.
David Morrissey plays Walter Blackett
The ruthless rubber merchant is married to society queen Sylvia, who is played by Jane Horrocks. Says David: ‘His entitlement is monstrously fascinating.’
Elizabeth Tan playsVera Chiang
Mr Webb vouches for Vera when she arrives in Singapore, and they become friends. She falls in love with Matthew. Says Elizabeth: ‘ She’s really a force to be reckoned with. I wonder whether Vera has had much kindness in her life. True kindness without someone wanting something from her. Without there being some kind of exchange.’
Luke Treadaway playsMatthew Webb
He’s an idealist who is shocked by the treatment of the local people by his father’s company. Says Luke: ‘It’s Singapore with gin and tonics on the veranda and the total ‘head in the sand’ thinking that they were going to be fine because they all had nice suits on and were white, British and therefore untouchable.’